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Respirable Crystalline Silica: The Health Risks of Exposure

A recent outbreak of silicosis cases reported among engineered stone workers in several states has prompted an investigation into workplace exposure controls.

Eighteen cases of silicosis among stone fabrication workers had been reported at the time of publication of a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Sept. 27, 2019.  These cases, including two fatalities due to the disease, originated in California, Colorado, Texas, and Washington. In addition, some of the patients had symptoms of autoimmune disease and tuberculosis infection typically associated with silicosis.

One patient who had cut, ground, and polished engineered stone for close to 10 years was found to have been exposed to respirable (inhalable) crystalline silica at concentrations 22 times greater than the permissible exposure limit (PEL) during a workplace inspection conducted by Cal/OSHA in 2009.  He was later diagnosed with silicosis and concurrent scleroderma, an autoimmune disease, before passing away at age 38. This tragedy, echoed in several other workers affected by this outbreak, is preventable through effective exposure controls and training to minimize exposures in the workplace.

Health Effects of Exposure to Respirable Silica 

The primary route of exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS) is the inhalation of fine silica-containing dusts. These particles may be less than 10 micrometers in diameter – less than 1/5^th the width of a human hair – and are able to deposit deep in the lung tissue. In the lungs, silica particles can pose a major risk to human health, and may lead to the development of several adverse health outcomes, including:

• Silicosis: an inflammation and scarring of the lung tissue that occurs following either a short term, high concentration exposure or long-term, low-level exposure to RCS.
• Lung Cancer: the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified RCS in quartz or cristobalite forms as a Group 1 human carcinogen in 1997.
• Airway Disease: silica exposure can lead to diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema, and may be independent of silicosis.
• Other Diseases: silica-related diseases can be complicated by infections such as tuberculosis. RCS exposure has also been linked to autoimmune diseases and chronic renal disease.

Engineering Controls and Respiratory Protection are the Keys to Worker Safety

Exposure to respirable crystalline silica can cause several serious health outcomes, particularly in those who work with silica-containing materials, including many construction trades. However, these effects are largely preventable through the utilization of engineering controls including the use of wet methods and adequate ventilation, along with the proper use of personal protective equipment such as respirators.

Omega’s qualified staff can conduct a job site exposure assessment to ensure employers are complying with OSHA workplace standards and controlling silica dust release to well below permissible exposure limits. Omega’s team of experts can create a silica exposure control plan designed to meet employers’ unique needs.

Contact us to learn more about how an RCS exposure assessment and silica control plan can help ensure regulatory compliance and workplace safety.

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References

Hnizdo, E., & Murray, J. (1998). Risk of pulmonary tuberculosis relative to silicosis and exposure to silica dust in South African gold miners. Occupational Environmental Medicine, 55, 496-502.

International Agency for Research on Cancer (1997). IARC monographs on the evaluation of carcinogenic risks to humans, Volume 68. Silica, Some Silicates, Coal Dust and Para-Aramid Fibrils. Lyon, France: IARC; 1997. Available from: http://publications.iarc.fr/download/2209/c827.pdf

International Agency for Research on Cancer (2012). A review of Human Carcinogens, Volume 100C. Arsenic, Metals, Fibers, and Dusts. Lyon, France: IARC; 2012. Available from: https://www.monographs.iarc.fr/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/mono100C.pdf

Neukirch, Francoise & Cooreman, Jacqueline & Korobaeff, Myriam & Pariente, René. (2010). Silica Exposure and Chronic Airflow Limitation in Pottery Workers. Archives of environmental health. 49. 459-64. 10.1080/00039896.1994.9955001.

Pollard, K. M. (2016). Silica, Silicosis, and Autoimmunity. Frontiers in Immunology, 7. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2016.00097

Steenland, K., Mannetje, A., Boffetta, P. et al. Pooled exposure–response analyses and risk assessment for lung cancer in 10 cohorts of silica-exposed workers: an IARC multicentre study (2001) 12: 773. https://www.doi.org/10.1023/A:1012214102061

The Emerging Coronavirus: How Omega Can Help

By Richard L Wade PhD, MPH

Principal Scientist, Omega

The emergence of a viral pneumonia, also called COVID-19, caused by a novel coronavirus in December in Wuhan, China has raised fears around the world as the virus spreads from this highly populated city of over 11 million people to the rest of China and into parts of Europe and North America.

This is a very dynamic disease outbreak and experts’ opinions are mixed regarding its potential to become a major worldwide epidemic. Limited understanding of the virus, including its pathogenicity, ability to change its genetic composition as it migrates from one species to another, incubation period, infectivity and ease of transmission has created uncertainty as to the degree of risk,  even as fears are blamed for driving down the stock market and interrupting supply chains.

The Origins of the Outbreak

This coronavirus appears to have crossed the wild animal barrier at the seafood market in Wuhan, China. This market sold both fish and live wild animals. Coronaviruses are a common type of virus that caused both the MERS and SARS outbreaks. In both of these cases, the virus is believed to have originated in bats and crossed over to civet cats, camels, and other mammals. The virus was then transmitted to humans when they were exposed to live animals infected with the virus.

When the virus first appeared in mid-December, it was thought that only direct contact with these live virus-infected animals would cause respiratory pneumonia in humans. In January however, the incidence of this new type of pneumonia had grown to 400 cases and there was evidence of human to human transmission. Compilations of epidemiological forecasts show that one infected person can transmit the virus to between 1.4 and 2.5 other individuals. By Jan. 31, the number of human cases had grown to 9,700, with over 213 fatalities.  On Jan. 30 the World Health Organization declared the virus to be the cause of a Global Health Emergency.

Risk of Secondary Transmission Seen

These estimates suggest a relatively low person-to-person transmission rate, but may not accurately represent the total number of cases currently in China or those within the 2-14 day incubation period. Other investigators suggest that China currently has up to 100,000 cases of pneumonia caused by this new virus as cases surface around the world caused by the migration of infected people. The U.S., Germany and France have reported secondary person-to-person transmission. In these countries, the secondary transmission was through a person traveling from China who infected one local resident with no exposure to China except for the index case. The infected individuals are in isolation and follow-up with people they may have been in contact with is ongoing.

China has adopted aggressive isolation practices and is limiting transportation programs in attempts to isolate and contain the virus. Other countries have implemented screening efforts to detect and isolate infected individuals. However, research reports from China suggest that screening efforts based solely on body temperature measurements may be inadequate if individuals are transmitting the virus before they have elevated temperatures.

While the virus is a serious threat to human health, it is worth remembering that in the U.S., 15 million people have been infected with influenza this season, with 140,000 hospitalizations and 8,200 deaths, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.

Omega Team Can Help Guide Efforts

At Omega Environmental, our team members have provided guidance to companies, health care facilities, the military and the media on best practice during previous outbreaks including SARS 2003 and Ebola 2015.

Our services can include a wide range of guidance, assessment, remediation and decontamination for environmental and microbial hazards. Our consultants can help your company or institution take the right steps with information, education, assessments and guidelines, including:

• Keeping clients up to date with current science-based findings related to worldwide and regional epidemics
• Developing general protocols for cleanup of environments that may be potentially impacted by COVID-19. These efforts can be conducted as a preemptive procedure or after a coronavirus case has been identified.
• Designing a site-specific scope of work by Omega’s in-house expert, Dr. Richard Wade, PhD, MPH
• Providing project management and oversight of cleanup, including conducting post-remediation testing using accepted methodology for viral detection and decontamination
• On site monitoring and evaluations including checks of HVAC systems, quantitative sanitation evaluations, general air quality, and site-specific and business-specific risk evaluations

To learn more about Omega Environmental Services, give us a call or click on the link below.

References:

David Fisman MD, MPH Professor of Epidemiology School of Public Health University of Toronto (Novel Corona Virus Transmission Dynamics ProMed/AH/EDR mail post. January 27, 2020.

Wuhan 2019-nCoV. Preprint.  Last accessed January 25, 2019. 2020.

Imai N, Cori A, Dorigatti I, Baguelin M, Donnelly C, Riley S, et
al. Report 3: Transmissibility of 2019-nCoV. Last accessed January 25, 2020.; 2020.

Majumdar M, Mandl K. Early transmissibility assessment of a novel
coronavirus in Wuhan, China. Preprint.  Last accessed January 25, 2020. 2020.

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Join Omega’s Environmental Experts at Military Engineers Symposium

With what is described as “historic” levels of contracting, planning and construction of government projects as backdrop, as well as an increased focus on environmental stewardship and sustainability, the Orange County Post of the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) will host the organization’s 2019 Federal Business Opportunities Symposium Nov. 14 in Costa Mesa, Calif.

The event is expected to draw more than 250 attendees with a stake in the many infrastructure projects underway across Southern California and will highlight measures being taken to promote infrastructural resiliency and sustainability in the face of challenges like climate change and environmental safety.

SAME’s Resiliency Committee is committed to the development of policies, training, partnerships and technology that will drive infrastructure improvements and development that is environmentally sound and capable of adapting to climate change.

Among the immediate environmental hazards facing the Department of Defense is the contamination of groundwater beneath military bases in California and around the country by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) – highly toxic components of the firefighting foam used for decades at airports and military bases. Exposure to PFAS, which have been found in wells and public water systems near the bases, is linked to numerous human health risks including cancer, immune system damage, infertility, and more.

Safe and Cost-Effective Assessment and Remediation

At Omega Environmental, we have a long history of working with government and military contractors and engineers to identify and remediate environmental hazards for construction, demolition and renovation projects, including assessment for hazardous materials in soil, groundwater, indoor air and building materials.

Assessment for environmental issues is an important component of infrastructure planning, for both new construction and demolition and rehabilitation.  We provide a full range of building materials assessments for hazards like asbestos, PCBs, lead, and other chemical contaminants to ensure that issues are resolved safely and cost-effectively, keeping projects on track, compliant and on-budget.

To learn more about the work we do to help government and private contractors and engineers plan for and resolve environmental issues, join our members at the symposium, give us a call or click on the link below.

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L.A. Historic District to Host Bisnow State of the Market Conference

A booming Greater Los Angeles real estate market includes numerous redevelopment and retrofitting projects in which old buildings are updated or transformed into something new.

The setting for Bisnow’s “Los Angeles State of the Market” on May 29 is a perfect example. The Trust Building, an 11-story office building in downtown Los Angeles’ Old Bank District, was retrofitted to create more than 300,000 square feet of office, retail, and restaurant space, along with what is described as “an exclusive rooftop experience.”

The 91-year-old building at 433 Spring St. will play host to property managers, real estate investors, developers and other dealmakers as they discuss the trends and market conditions of a region in which nearly 4 million square feet of office and retail projects are under construction, according to Bisnow.

Topics include the unique challenges faced by the growing market in Los Angeles, along with discussion of major projects and “game-changing trends.”

Renovation as Part of a Smart Growth Approach

A promising trend around “smart growth” involves the renovation of existing buildings rather than building new ones. In addition to its cultural contribution, historical renovation can also play a role in achieving greater energy efficiency.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, a new, energy-efficient building that includes 40% recycled materials would still take approximately 65 years to recover the energy lost in the process of demolishing an existing building.

Older buildings can also be an attractive option for developers because they’re often found in prime locations, or they have the potential to anchor the beginning of a prime redevelopment area.

Environmental Assessment for Renovation Projects

But older buildings also come with added environmental challenges. Buildings constructed before the dangers of lead and asbestos were fully understood must be carefully assessed. Pre-1980 construction often includes asbestos in fireproofing, pipe insulation and floor tiles. Renovations involving demolition of asbestos-containing materials can cause exposure to airborne asbestos fibers, which has severe human health impacts. Lead-based paint and mold can also be present in older buildings and pose health risks to the building’s occupants. Indoor air quality can be adversely affected by old chemical leaks, and aging, faulty or poorly located ventilation systems.

An environmental assessment is your best defense against costly surprises or job-stopping regulatory hurdles. Undetected or unmitigated environmental issues can leave projects vulnerable to spreading effects and increasing liability. That’s why it is a good business practice to have an experienced environmental partner perform a thorough site assessment before work is started, or even as part of your pre-purchase due diligence.

At Omega Environmental Services Inc., we have deep expertise and broad experience in environmental assessment and remediation for renovation projects, including historical landmarks. We partner with developers, engineers, architects and building owners to ensure that budget-busting surprises, health and safety concerns or compliance issues do not leave a project stalled.

We have decades of experience in the assessment and remediation of hazardous materials found in building materials, groundwater, indoor air and soil, including asbestos, lead, PCBs, mold and chemical contaminants. We have thorough, reliable and cost effective practices for assessment and remediation that can save you money and protect your investment.

Stop by our booth at the Bisnow conference to learn more about how an experienced environmental partner can help you move forward safely and cost-efficiently.

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Factoring Vapor Intrusion into Retail Site Selection

Success in the brick-and-mortar retail environment means staying in front of the changes occurring in what the president and CEO of the retail real estate industry group ICSC called a “period of historic change.”

Among the disrupting forces cited by International Council of Shopping Centers President and CEO Tom McGee are technological forces, demographic shifts and changing consumer expectations.

When the group gathers for its Southern California Idea Exchange Feb. 28 at the Anaheim Convention Center, expert retailers will be on hand to discuss such challenges, along with how site selection criteria is changing to keep up with emerging trends around the “new look of brick-and-mortar.”

We’ll be there too, because as savvy retail developers, investors and property managers know well, site selection that doesn’t incorporate environmental assessment can leave an otherwise promising project mired in problems.

Make Sure Your “New Look” Isn’t  Built on Old Hazards

There are many factors that go into selecting a site for a retail shopping center. But none of them matter as much as making sure that you know the environmental history and health of the site you are considering. A thorough environmental assessment can save you from making a bad investment, from having to undertake costly and time-consuming remediation processes, or worse: all of the above plus exposure to legal or regulatory penalties.

Assessment for Volatile Chemicals in Soil or Water

Depending on how your proposed site has been used over the years, you will want to carefully assess the possibility of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or chemicals lurking in ground water or soil. These pollutants can migrate into an overlying building’s indoor air through cracks in the foundation or through openings from utility, plumbing and electrical lines.

A wide variety of volatile chemicals and semi-volatile chemicals can invade indoor air and create potentially hazardous vapor intrusion that goes unnoticed by building occupants. These include:

• Dry-cleaning solvents
• Gasoline and petroleum
• De-greasers
• Some pesticides
• Naphthalene
• Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)

In extreme cases, the vapors can enter into commercial or industrial buildings to airborne concentrations that can pose safety hazards such as explosions. The vapors can also pose serious health risks from acute and chronic exposure.

How Can You Tell If a Property Has Vapor Intrusion?

The only way to know for sure is to conduct an environmental assessment of the property. The environmental risk is greater depending on how the site has been used. Certain types of businesses pose a higher risk of having contaminated soil or groundwater. If your site is on or near a site used by one of the following types of business, regardless of how the site is being used currently, your property is more likely to be at risk of vapor intrusion:

• Chemical processing plants
• Landfills
• Warehouses
• Train yards
• Dry Cleaners
• Gas Stations
• Coal gasification plants
• Printers
• Automobile repair shops

Wind effects and groundwater flow can exacerbate the risk by causing chemicals to migrate. If vapor intrusion is a concern, the EPA recommends a risk assessment by a qualified inspector to evaluate the degree of risk to future occupants. The inspector will compare sample concentrations to health-based screening levels to determine whether mitigation is necessary.

At Omega Environmental Services, we have decades of experience in the accurate, cost-effective and timely assessment and remediation of environmental risks. including vapor intrusion and indoor air quality. Our clients trust us to deliver safe, reliable and professional environmental management that saves them time, money and compliance worries.

Stop by the Omega Environmental Table at the ICSC Southern California Idea Exchange to talk to one of our experts about your environmental assessment, consulting or remediation needs. Or click on the link below.

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